Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Barley is one of the earliest cultivated grains and holds significant importance in the biblical narrative, both as a staple food and as a symbol in various religious and cultural contexts. It is mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible, reflecting its prominence in the ancient Near Eastern diet and economy.Agricultural Significance Barley was a primary grain in ancient Israel, often grown alongside wheat. It was typically sown in the autumn and harvested in the spring, making it one of the first crops to be gathered each year. This early harvest is reflected in the timing of the Feast of Firstfruits, which coincided with the barley harvest. The grain was used for making bread, porridge, and even beer, serving as a crucial food source for the people of Israel. Biblical References Barley is frequently mentioned in the context of offerings and sacrifices. In Leviticus 2:14, the Israelites are instructed to bring an offering of firstfruits to the LORD, which could include barley: "If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits to the LORD, offer crushed heads of new grain roasted in the fire." This offering underscores the importance of barley as a symbol of God's provision and the people's gratitude. In the account of Ruth, barley plays a central role. Ruth 1:22 notes, "So Naomi returned from the land of Moab with her daughter-in-law Ruth the Moabitess. They arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest." The timing of their return during the barley harvest sets the stage for Ruth's gleaning in the fields of Boaz, which ultimately leads to her redemption and marriage. Barley is also mentioned in the context of miraculous provision. In John 6:9, a boy's lunch of "five barley loaves and two small fish" is used by Jesus to feed a multitude, demonstrating God's ability to provide abundantly from seemingly insufficient resources. Symbolism and Prophetic Imagery Barley often symbolizes abundance and provision. In 2 Kings 7:1, the prophet Elisha prophesies a sudden reversal of famine conditions, stating, "Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: 'About this time tomorrow, a seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.'" This prophecy highlights barley as a measure of economic stability and divine intervention. In the book of Revelation, barley is mentioned in the context of scarcity and economic distress. Revelation 6:6 describes a voice among the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine." Here, barley is depicted as a more affordable grain during a time of famine, emphasizing its role as a sustainer even in difficult times. Cultural and Religious Practices Barley was integral to the religious and cultural practices of ancient Israel. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, which followed Passover, included the offering of barley sheaves as a sign of the new harvest. This practice is rooted in Leviticus 23:10-11, where the Israelites are commanded to bring the first sheaf of their harvest to the priest, who would wave it before the LORD. In summary, barley in the Bible is more than just a grain; it is a symbol of God's provision, a staple of daily life, and a key element in religious observance. Its presence in the biblical text underscores the agrarian lifestyle of ancient Israel and the deep connection between the people and the land they cultivated. Smith's Bible Dictionary Barleyis one of the most important of the cereal grains, and the most hardy of them all. It was grown by the Hebrews, (Leviticus 27:16; 8:8; Ruth 2:17) etc., who used it for baking into bread chiefly among the poor, (Judges 7:13; 2 Kings 4:42; John 6:9,13) and as fodder for horses. (1 Kings 4:28) The barley harvest, (Ruth 1:22; 2:23; 2 Samuel 21:9;10) takes place in Palestine in March and April, and in the hilly district as late as May. It always precedes the wheat harvest, in some places by a week, in others by fully three weeks. In Egypt the barley is about a month earlier than the wheat; whence its total destruction by the hail storm. (Exodus 9:31) ATS Bible Dictionary BarleySown in Palestine in autumn, and reaped in the spring, that is, at the Passover. The Hebrews frequently used barley bread, 2 Samuel 1:27; 2 Kings 4:42; John 6:9. Barley also was much used as food for cattle, 1 Kings 4:28. Easton's Bible Dictionary A grain much cultivated in Egypt (Exodus 9:31) and in Palestine (Leviticus 27:16; Deuteronomy 8:8). It was usually the food of horses (1 Kings 4:28). Barley bread was used by the poorer people (Judges 7:13; 2 Kings 4:42). Barley of the first crop was ready for the harvest by the time of the Passover, in the middle of April (Ruth 1:22; 2 Samuel 21:9). Mention is made of barley-meal (Numbers 5:15). Our Lord fed five thousand with "five barley loaves and two small fishes" (John 6:9). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (n.) A valuable grain, of the family of grasses, genus Hordeum, used for food, and for making malt, from which are prepared beer, ale, and whisky.International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BARLEYbar'-li (se`orah): Greek 2916. krithinos -- of barley ... of barley. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: krithinos Phonetic Spelling: (kree'-thee-nos) Short Definition: made of barley Definition: made of barley. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2916.htm - 7k 2915. krithe -- barley 4621. sitos -- grain 4005. pentekoste -- fiftieth, Pentecost, the second of the three ... Strong's Hebrew 8184. seorah -- barley... 8183, 8184. seorah. 8185 . barley. Transliteration: seorah Phonetic Spelling: (seh-o-raw') Short Definition: barley. Word Origin ... /hebrew/8184.htm - 6k 8188. Seorim -- an Israelite priest Library The Barley Field on Fire Another Mode of Interpreting the Symbol of Wheat and Barley. From the Miracle of the Feeding of the Multitude from Five Barley ... Ruth. Whether Wheaten Bread is Required for the Matter of this Sacrament ... Ruth and Naomi. A Man Expects to Reap the Same Kind as He Sows. Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath. Ruth the Gleaner. The Devotion of Ruth Thesaurus Barley (35 Occurrences)...Barley bread was used by the poorer people (Judges 7:13; 2 Kings 4:42). ... Our Lord fed five thousand with "five barley loaves and two small fishes" (John 6:9). ... /b/barley.htm - 23k Barley-harvest (3 Occurrences) Barley-loaves (2 Occurrences) Barley-bread (1 Occurrence) Barley-meal (1 Occurrence) Barley-cake (1 Occurrence) Beans (2 Occurrences) Wheat (56 Occurrences) Homer (6 Occurrences) Bolled (1 Occurrence) Resources Who was Ruth in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are some examples of unfailing love in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Why did God use a locust swarm to punish Israel (Joel 1:4)? | GotQuestions.org Barley: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Barley (35 Occurrences)John 6:9 John 6:13 Revelation 6:6 Exodus 9:31 Leviticus 27:16 Numbers 5:15 Deuteronomy 8:8 Judges 7:13 Ruth 1:22 Ruth 2:17 Ruth 2:23 Ruth 3:2 Ruth 3:15 Ruth 3:17 2 Samuel 14:30 2 Samuel 17:28 2 Samuel 21:9 1 Kings 4:28 2 Kings 4:42 2 Kings 7:1 2 Kings 7:16 2 Kings 7:18 1 Chronicles 11:13 2 Chronicles 2:10 2 Chronicles 2:15 2 Chronicles 27:5 Job 31:40 Isaiah 28:25 Jeremiah 41:8 Ezekiel 4:9 Ezekiel 4:12 Ezekiel 13:19 Ezekiel 45:13 Hosea 3:2 Joel 1:11 Subtopics Barley: Absalom Burns Joab's Field of Barley: Priests Estimated Value of Related Terms Barley-harvest (3 Occurrences) |